As it’s Halloween week we couldn’t resist delving into our darker side to explore an ethereal and other-worldly wedding concept. This mood board series is soft, striking and most definitely moody! Less is more with this design, with a monochromatic ombre palette from the deepest black through to delicate greys and warm whites.
The key is to focus on a few stand-out elements that complement and flow well together choosing tactile and textural, design-led decor to help you create a bold yet beautiful setting.
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To avoid things feeling too stark, add in subtle hints of metallics such as rose gold or copper and keep design features, such as stationery, beautifully artistic and painterly in style.
THE VENUES
The Asylum in London has to be the perfect setting for our divine nuptials, a Grade 2 listed chapel with peeling paintwork and echoes of the past gently flowing through the space. It is available for ceremonies only from December 2015 and really does offer the most atmospheric space to say your vows. We’d transport guests across London on the suitably fitting Necrobus, complete with ghoulish actors giving a ghostly tour for a theatrical and intriguing journey. Arriving at Bistrotheque, an industrially designed eatery that is the idyllic setting for a quirky yet chic celebration. The light and bright utilitarian space is perfect for adding subtle and artistic decor to complement this concept.
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THE LOOKBOOK
Our celestial bride is a vision of light in layers and layers of exquisite fabric, but like all fallen angels she has a dark side too. She would most definitely be rocking it out in a pair of killer Sophia Webster heels, bespoke Karman jewellery and a dark velvet or even beaten up old leather jacket to keep off the autumn chill. Bridesmaids would look ethereal in soft ombre grey gowns or like rock chick’s in little black dresses.
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THE DESIGN
The scene would be set with a customised invitation, featuring brush calligraphy and a hand-painted crow as the intriguing delivery agent. Continuing the birds connection, individual lasercut and hand-painted birds would act as placecards on-the-day, each one slightly different to the next.
Soft raw linen tablecloths in a gentle grey hue would be draped over the dining tables, before layers of design detail added: handcrafted placemats painted in shades of black and white, sit beneath black ceramic plates and cups. Candlelight is a mixture of deepest-black dinner candles alongside faceted grey ceramic votives.
For a touch of the unexpected, unique centrepieces would be laid along the banquet tables, with paper butterflies and macabre tableaux presented in bell jars.
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FLOWERS AND DECOR
The unique table decor would be punctuated with subtle and ethereal floral arrangements using unusual shapes and textures for a modern twist. Florals would be presented in an array of chalky black vessels. To really play to the Halloween vibe painted pumpkins would make perfect vases too.
A final eye-catching and sublime element would be added to the dining space, in the form of a sculptural hanging centrepiece. A series of black birds, handcrafted from paper, would appear to be flying overhead keeping a careful watch over the proceedings.
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FOOD AND DRINK
Of course any celebration worth it’s salt has a dining experience to-die-for. You want the perfect mix of deliciousness, entertainment and creativity, so think about how to elevate your standard fare to see the concept through every little detail. Inspired by our light and shade colour palette we would include elements such as rockefeller oysters to start, followed by squid ink spaghetti with white truffle oil and sea scallops, and to finish a stunningly presented pear ice-cream with black tea. After dinner treats would include milk white cookies, delicately embossed with our crow drawing and a knock-em-dead vodka, fig and creme-de-cassis cocktail.
There are so many options for a unique wedding cake, from subtle ombre colouring to more advanced textural designs like concrete or corrugated iron, go wild!.
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We love this high-octane look, filled with imaginative elements and stylish details, perfect for the bold and confident bride and groom.
Happy Halloween Folks.
Michelle x
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We love to share features by Michelle Kelly, Creative Director and expert wedding planner at Pocketful of Dreams – and partner/collaborator with Love My Dress. Pocketful of Dreams create captivating and unforgettable celebrations for creative clients across the UK and Europe and provide everything from on-the-day assistance only, to full wedding planning and styling. If you think you’d like to chat with Michelle about your own wedding, you can drop her a line on [email protected] or visit pocketfulofdreams.co.uk for more information.
MichelleView all Michelle's articles
Michelle loves to embrace life and it’s many adventures and is a strong believer in healthy body, healthy mind. When she’s not planning show-stopping weddings she loves long walks with her little dog Alfie, meditating and devising new green smoothie concoctions.
